The 2026 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot, featuring a strong field of three-year-olds, is headlined by favourite Venetian Sun at 7/4, with notable rivals like Albert Einstein and Coppull. However, value seekers are advised to look at Zanthos (20/1) and Midnight Tango (40/1) as each-way picks. Zanthos benefits from a favorable inside draw and previous success at this level, while Midnight Tango arrives off a career-best run in the Commonwealth Cup Trial, making both horses attractive betting options.
Odds and betting predictions for the 2026 Commonwealth Cup
This Group One takes place on day four of Royal Ascot on Friday 19th June
Zanthos and Midnight Tango are our each-way selections
The Commonwealth Cup at Ascot. (Getty)
Day four at Royal Ascot features two excellent Group One races. The first is the newest top-level race of the meeting, the Commonwealth Cup, which is open only to three-year-olds and run over a trip of six furlongs.
Venetian Sun will be looking for her second Royal Ascot win, after scoring in the Albany Stakes last year. Karl Burke's filly was well-beaten on her return in the 1000 Guineas, but bounced back with an excellent triumph in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock, after which she was cut into a very short price for this lucrative Group One.
Aidan O'Brien will be hoping to see better from Albert Einstein, after his colt was beaten on his first three starts of the season. Norfolk Stakes winner, Charles Darwin will also represent Ballydoyle, along with Brussels.
Richmond Stakes winner Coppull takes his chance after winning the Commonwealth Cup Trial here at Ascot in May. William Haggas will be represented by Sandy Lane Stakes runner-up Division. Wise Approach has been beaten on both starts since scoring in the Middle Park Stakes last September. Song Of The Clyde will step up to Group One level after his victory in the Carnarvon Stakes.
Wesley Ward's raider Outfielder will fly the flag for America and Amo Racing. Francis Graffard runs Samangan and Kimi Rey. My Calyx Cen will also represent French connections.
Last year's Windsor Castle Stakes winner Havana Hurricane takes his chance. Zanthos, Midnight Tango, Spicy Marg and Rock On Thunder take their chance, along with Northern Champion, Fitzella, Aspect Island and Super Soldier.
Oisin Murphy riding Zanthos (red) win the Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket. (Getty)
2026 Commonwealth Cup Tips
I could see this field splitting into two separate groups. If it does, then favourite Venetian Sun might be inconvenienced by her central draw in stall 13.
Having been drawn on the inside rail, ZANTHOS (20/1) could make a bold bid from the front under Oisin Murphy. The former Champion Jockey was in the saddle when Simon and Ed Crisford's filly made all to win the Rockfel Stakes on her final juvenile start, holding on in the closing stages to repel The Prettiest Star.
The Crisfords opted to run Zanthos in the French 1000 Guineas on her return to action. Murphy's mount wasn't unfancied against Diamond Necklace, but she raced too keenly and was forced to race wide early on from stall 11. She couldn't maintain her challenge on the testing ground.
Zanthos never really looked like a miler to me as a juvenile. Decent ground should suit her too. Song Of The Clyde has been drawn in stall two, and a bit of company on the inside rail could help keep Zanthos settled. If she were able to get loose on the front end, she could be very dangerous.
Midnight Tango (blue) finishing second to Coppull in the Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes at Ascot. (Getty)
I'm struggling to understand the price of MIDNIGHT TANGO (40/1), considering she ran so well in the Commonwealth Cup Trial.
Ed Walker's filly went into the Pavilion Stakes as a 66/1 outsider and almost caused an almighty shock. Coppull picked off the front-running Ghost Mode to claim victory, but Midnight Tango flew home from the rear to get within a neck of Clive Cox's winner.
Slow starts caused Walker's filly plenty of problems during her juvenile campaign, especially when she was stepped up in trip. Midnight Tango won at Hamilton on her second maiden start, and was only beaten a neck behind Argentine Tango in the Empress Fillies' Stakes during the July Festival.
Midnight Tango returned with a career-best effort on Trials Day, and comes into this Group One completely under the radar. Walker and Kieran Shoemark have already claimed a shock Group One win during this Royal Ascot. This filly could follow in Ten Bob Tony's footsteps.
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